Lecture 39 - Female Reproductive System

Question 1

Pelvic Diaphragm

Answer 1

o separates pelvis and perineum
o formed largely by levator ani muscle
o contains opening for pelvic viscera

Question 2

Levator ani

Answer 2

o puborectalis (faecal continence) (inner)
o pubococcygeus (middle)
o iliococcygeus (outer)

Question 3

Perineal membrane

Answer 3

o superficial to pelvic diaphragm
o covers urogenital triangle
o opening for urethra (male and female) and vagina (female)

Question 4

deep perineal pouch

Answer 4

o space above perineal membrane and below levator ani
o contains skeletal muscle that forms sphincters around urethra and vagina

Question 5

childbirth

Answer 5

o Levator ani and perineal membrane can be injured during childbirth
o Puborectalis and pubococcygeus often torn
o Muscles in deep perineal pouch can also be involved
o In females these muscle support urethra, uterus, vagina, and rectum
o Urinary stress incontinence and prolapse of uterus may result, and even faecal incontinence

Question 6

ovary

Answer 6

o Adjacent to lateral wall of pelvix
o In peritoneal cavity
o Posterior to broach ligament
o Attached to uterus by ligament of ovary

Question 7

fallopian (uterine) tube

Answer 7

o Projects laterally, open adjacent to ovaries
o Starts with (inner to outer)
o Isthmus – ampulla – infundibulum

Question 8

infundibulum

Answer 8

Funnel-shaped with fimbriae, facilitates collection of oocytes

Question 9

ampulla

Answer 9

Relatively large, labyrinthine lumen (fertilization)

Question 10

Isthmus

Answer 10

Narrow portion, connects to uterus

Question 11

Uterus

Answer 11

thick-walled muscular organ; facilitates development of embryo

Question 12

endometrium

Answer 12

inner lining; supports pregnancy, shed during menstrual cycle

Question 13

Cervix

Answer 13

opens inferiorly into vagina, uterus is supported best at cervix

Question 14

fertilization and implantation

Answer 14

o fertilization usually occurs in ampulla
o implantation is usually in the body of the uterus

Question 15

ectopic (extrauterine) pregnancy

Answer 15

implantation anywhere other than the endometrial lining, can occur at different locations

Question 16

position of uterus (when bladder is empty)

Answer 16

o anteverted (AV) relative to vagina
o anteflexed (AF) over bladder
o cervix opens into posterior wall of vagina

Question 17

vagina

Answer 17

o muscular passage connecting uterine cavity to exterior
o between urethra and rectum

Question 18

peritoneal folds

Answer 18

o fold over top of pelvic viscera
o folds come together over uterine tubes to form broad ligament
o ligament of ovary formed by folds over ovarian vessels
o ovaries are within inner layer of peritoneum = intra-peritoneal

Question 19

fluid in peritoneal cavity

Answer 19

o lying on back
o fluid collects in recto-uterine puch
o syringe through posterior part of vaginal fornix
o aspiration of fluid

Question 20

female external genitalia

Answer 20

• vulva/pudendum
• labia minora
• vestibule
• labia majora

Question 21

vulva/pudendum

Answer 21

erectile tissues and overlying skins

Question 22

vestibule

Answer 22

area between labia minora, contains openings of urethra and vagina

Question 23

labia minora

Answer 23

o Two thin skin folds next to midline
o come together anteriorly at glans clitoris

Question 24

labia majora

Answer 24

o Larger skin folds, lateral to labia minora

Question 25

perineal membrane and pubic arch

Answer 25

Attachment for roots of external genitalia

Question 26

erectile tissues

Answer 26

2 corpora cavernosa, 2 bulbs of vestibule, glans clitoris (anterior to urethra, not covered by skin)

Question 27

greater vestibular glands

Answer 27

Posterior to the bulbs, open into the vestibule, secreting mucous secretions that lubricate

Question 28

ischiocavernosus muscles

Answer 28

Covers attached parts of corpora cavernosa, maintain erection of clitoris

Question 29

bulbospongiosus muscles

Answer 29

Covers bulbs of vestibule and greater vestibular gland, support pelvic floor, assist in erection of clitoris, compress greater vestibular gland